Fissure Sealing

Fissure SealingFissures, grooves or pits exist as part of the anatomy on the biting surfaces of your back teeth.

If deep and narrow it makes it difficult to remove food, plaque and bacteria completely when brushing your teeth. This consequently results in plaque accumulation and/ or tooth decay.

Fissure Sealants are protective adhesive coatings used to seal the fissures or pits on your teeth thus making them easier to clean and also a safe way to protect your teeth from decay and plaque accumulation by forming a protective layer that keeps food and bacteria from getting stuck in the tiny grooves in the teeth.

This preventive measure is recommended for all children, as this may reduce decay by 86% at 12 months and by 57% when your child is between four and four and a half years.The process is usually quick and easy taking only a few minutes per tooth.

The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and dried. The sealant is then applied and allowed to set hard – usually by shining a blue light onto it.

These sealants usually last for many years, but needs to be checked regularly to make sure that the seal is intact.It can wear over time, and sometimes needs to be added to or replaced so that no decay can start underneath it.

Fissure sealed teeth do not require any additional home care. Good oral health care will help protect other unsealed teeth from decay.